Fr Phillip Forde

Fr Philip Forde, a member of the Trinidad Province of the Holy Ghost Congregation (the Spiritans) died peacefully at his brother's (Martin) residence in his hometown of Maraval on the morning of April 30, at the age of 80 years.

Philip Forde made Temporary Profession (First Vows) in the Congregation in 1947 and was ordained to the priesthood on July 5, 1953 , in Dublin after completing his initial theological studies at the Holy Ghost Missionary College (Kimmage Manor).

Overseas, the priest-missionary Fr Phil served in Nigeria , the USA (parishes and a junior military school), Canada (the Caribbean Catholic Chaplaincy, and the Spiritan-operated Neil McNeil High School ). From Canada , Fr Phil returned to Trinidad with the intention of retiring from active pastoral work, due mainly to failing heath.

Even so, some years later Fr Phil willingly offered himself to take up pastoral responsibility for the Delaford parish in Tobago . After a couple of years, once back in Trinidad , Fr Phil continued to help parish priest Fr Kevin de Loughy, OP in the Maraval parish.

Fr Forde loved his Maraval. In spite of his unfailing health, he made himself available for parish ministry there for his priestly vocation meant a lot to him. He was a dedicated priest, religious and missionary.

He was born in Maraval, celebrated his golden anniversary of priesthood in Maraval, was dearly loved by the people of Maraval and he died peacefully in Maraval.

May God be gracious to him forever.

The funeral liturgy for the late Fr Philip Forde, CSSp was scheduled to take place on Friday, May 5 at 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Maraval, followed by burial in the Holy Ghost Congregation's plot at Lapeyrouse Cemetery .